from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Taw \Taw\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tawed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Tawing}.] [OE. tawen, tewen, AS. t[=a]wian to prepare; cf.
D. touwen, Goth. t[=e]wa order, taujan to do, and E. tool.
[root]64. Cf. 1st {Tew}, {Tow} the coarse part of flax.]
1. To prepare or dress, as hemp, by beating; to tew; hence,
to beat; to scourge. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
2. To dress and prepare, as the skins of sheep, lambs, goats,
and kids, for gloves, and the like, by imbuing them with
alum, salt, and other agents, for softening and bleaching
them.
[1913 Webster]